PHOENIX (STN) – In the November episode of ‘It Happens at STN,’ Jessica Cox shared her story of resilience and determination in becoming the world’s first licensed, armless pilot.
“Resilience is truly a muscle,” Cox explained “The more we stretch ourselves, the more that we have to overcome, the stronger we become.”
Cox is certainly strong, and she has had to overcome a lot.
Sometimes, when kids ask her what happened, Cox infuses humor and tells them, “This is what happens when you don’t eat your vegetables.”
The truth is, Cox was born without arms. Raised in Arizona in what she describes as a wonderful family that encouraged her to embrace challenges, Cox went on to earn her pilot’s license, a fourth-degree black belt in Taekwondo, become a motivational speaker, appear on TV talk shows, and write a book.
“Disability does not mean inability,” she said. “It is important that we give others with disabilities the opportunity to have a job, to be included, to be seen. Because a lot of times they feel invisible.”
Jessica Cox: ‘Disability doesn’t mean inability’:
As the founder and executive director of the Rightfooted Foundation International, Cox continues her mission to advocate for people with disabilities and fight against the stigma and discrimination they often face.
“I need to continue to change the perceptions, to change the stigma and the discrimination as best I can with an amazing team around me to help do that,” she explained.
Having accomplished great things and inspiring many along the way, Cox is often asked how she remains resilient and continues to break barriers. Her answer is to avoid saying two words.
“When we say, ‘I can’t,’ we set ourselves up for failure,” she said. “We start to believe what we say. Persistence means not giving up. It means not using those two words, which I’ve tried my best to eliminate from my vocabulary.
“I challenge you to do the same.”
